Capitalization: It is very important. If you tell your friend you helped your Uncle Jack off his pony, you would be lauded for your concern for the well-being of your fellow man.However, telling him you helped your uncle jack off his pony is a sure-fire way to be labeled a clop-author.

Commas:[Will be added when I return home. I've got examples on my own computer.]

Semi-colons:A semicolon should be used only between two sections of text that can stand as sentences in their own right. This means they both contain a subject and a relevant verb. ✔ The pony jumped over the bridge; the pony landed on the other side.✖ The pony jumped over the bridge; landed on the other side.

Using a semicolon implies a close link to two sentences. Your hat’s color and its shape would be suitable descriptions to link with a semicolon. Your hat’s color and the current temperature would not.✔ The pony jumped over the bridge; the pony landed on the other side.✖ The pony jumped over the bridge; the man swung his bat.

When not separating sentences, a semicolon’s other use is as a super-comma, separating listed objects that contain commas, such as names of state capitols.✔ The pony jumped over the bridge, landing on the other side; took off running, galloping faster than ever before; and followed the herd, who were heading to the west.✖ The pony jumped over the bridge; took off running; and followed the herd.

Any other use of a semicolon, and too-frequent use even when correct, is not taken very well.

Notes:Any and all notes should be kept off the fanfiction. If you need to explain something in a footnote, for example, then it isn't important enough for you to explain in the fanfiction and therefore isn't important to me.